But an assurance by airlines that they will do their part to protect the sustainability of regional routes including Sydney to Armidale has been welcomed.

Carriers who are normally fiercely competitive have agreed to share passengers on a reduced number of flights to maintain the viability of the service.

This did get me thinking that this kind of co-operation might be just what's needed in these troubling times.

There could well be opportunities for other businesses to band together in a spirit of fairness to keep the industry as a whole in some sort of healthy condition.

It's also Missing Persons Week, and an Armidale teen who went missing in 2002 has become the face of this year's campaign.

What bravery and love Niamh Maye's family has shown to speak out about this most painful of experiences after all this time.

Our thoughts are with them and with all the families who live with the pain of not knowing what happened to their loved one.

Thanks for reading and have a great week.

Laurie Bullock

Editor